Lisswyn shifted in her saddle and stretched, wishing the afternoon would go by faster. The long days of riding were still tiring her more than she'd expected them to, but at least Eomer was doing better. Five days had passed since their conversation, and although he was continuing to dream nearly every night, his allowing her to comfort him had improved things for both of them. He was still quieter than normal but was overall more relaxed with others in the party, and seeing him so was definitely better for her. He was riding next to her now, his preferred location over the past few days.

"I spoke with Thedhelm this morning," he said softly.

"Oh?"

"I've been waiting for an opportunity where it would not look as if I singled him out due to your conversation with Brecka," he added. "It's not been easy, given they're always watching one another, while trying not to be caught watching one another."

Lisswyn smiled at his aggrieved tone, even while knowing he was secretly pleased. But before she could say as much, he continued speaking.

"I did not broach the possibility of him moving to the city guard, as I wish to discuss it first with Elfhelm. But I did question him concerning his intentions toward Brecka. He says he has no intention of leaving her, whether she will reconsider their courtship or not." He paused for a moment before adding, "such commitment only confirms my opinion of him."

Relieved, Lisswyn smiled. "So he's just going to wait for her to realize he's not leaving, regardless?"

"That seems to be his plan. He did think having a cottage they could move to would help him press his suit with her."

"She loves him very much," Lisswyn said thoughtfully. "She only needs to be convinced that her inability to live in the Westfold is not a liability to him."

He nodded. "Unless I'm very much mistaken, Elfhelm will help with that. He has a soft spot for Brecka, as well, does he not?"

Unsurprised that Eomer had caught that, as he had a definite soft spot for the young woman due to their shared experience in the caves, she said, 'I would say so, yes."

"Eothain believes Elfhelm will quite like the idea of Thedhelm moving to the city guard."

"Good. It hurts me to see her so sad when she'd been starting not to be."

He nodded, and they rode in silence for a while, until a small voice said, 'Eomer-King?"

They both looked over and saw Brynwyn watching them from the cart, a hesitant look on her face.

"Yes, Brynwyn?" he asked.

"May I ride with you on Firefoot sometime?"

Even as he nodded, Lisswyn saw regret flash into his eyes as he realized it was the first time he'd been asked that question in many days. "Of course." He maneuvered over to the cart and lifted Brynwyn up in front of him. As he turned to move them toward an open area for a run, he shared a smile with Lisswyn over the little girl's excitement.

Relieved for all of them, Lisswyn glanced over and saw Eowyn relax as she noted Eomer and Brynwyn laughing about something as they prepared to gallop, and she wasn't alone in that. It was as if the entire party accepted that things were truly back to normal for the king. They weren't – he'd wept in her arms the night before upon waking from the dream – but no one else needed to know that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by someone else moving up to ride next to her. Looking over, she saw Mylla, the healer. The woman studied her for a moment. "Forgive me for asking, my lady, but are you quite well?"

Unsure how to respond, Lisswyn stared at her blankly for a moment. She'd really hoped no one had noticed how the journey was affecting her, though she should probably have expected Mylla to do so. "I'm fine," she finally said quietly. "Riding for so many hours a day is proving to be more of a challenge than I expected it to be."

"I see."

Not wanting to linger on the topic lest others hear and become concerned, she broke her own rule about discussing Eomer. "Although he is pleased by his sister's marriage, the thought of her being so far away has been difficult for the king, resulting in restless nights for both of us."

"I see," said Mylla again. And then, completely ignoring Lisswyn's attempt to distract her, she asked, 'Have you experienced any stomach upset, my lady? Particularly in the morning?"

Momentarily struck dumb by the question, Lisswyn could only stare at the other woman in silence before looking down at her stomach. When her gaze met Mylla's gaze again, she saw both humor and concern there. "No," she finally said. "No. But my mother didn't have the morning illness when she was carrying Brynwyn, either. I just thought it was the journey wearing on me." She pressed a hand against her stomach, her heart beating much faster in hope that a child was growing there. "Still…I'm late for my monthly cycle." Her laugh was wondering and soft. "How could I have missed seeing the very thing for which I've been hoping?"

Mylla smiled. "As you said, you've been much distracted by preparations for the journey and your concerns over the king. It's understandable that you might have missed the early signs."

Still delighted, Lisswyn laughed again before noticing glances from those around them and going quiet. No one else must know until she'd found the right time and place to tell Eomer. Then a new thought came to her and concerned, she turned back to Mylla, and quietly asked, 'The journey will not endanger the babe, will it?"

Mylla's reply was slow in coming, and her expression was a bit troubled now. "Normally, I'd say, 'no,' and it's encouraging that you're not experiencing anything but exhaustion. But your mother had difficulties carrying to term, did she not?"

Refusing to dwell on the memory of the day her mother had died, Lisswyn nodded. "She died in childbirth." She swallowed, and then added, "but she was much smaller than I am, which I believe might make a difference?"

Mylla nodded. "That is very possible. You are built more like your father's side of the family, then? Not overly large for a woman, of course, but…"

"Yes."

"Did he have any sisters?"

"Yes, and my aunt had five children, with no losses."

"That's very hopeful, I'd say." Mylla fell silent again. "If we can manage it without alarming anyone, I'd like to examine you after we stop for the evening."

Still thinking about the best way to tell Eomer, Lisswyn nodded. "Of course."

Although yet weary, the afternoon did seem to go by more quickly, now that Lisswyn had such pleasant thoughts to ponder, but by the time they stopped, not even the anticipation of seeing the look on Eomer's face when she told him he was to be a father could assist her in pretending she was other than completely exhausted. She brought Dancer to a stop, dismounted, and felt her legs give out as the world tilted around her.

To her relief, she never completely lost awareness of what was going on. Too weak to stand, though, she slumped to the ground next to Dancer, grateful the mare was too steady in temperament – and too well trained – to react to her rider doing such a thing. Before she could decide what to do next, she sensed someone kneeling next to her.

Mylla, who'd still been riding near her, said softly, "Lisswyn, are you experiencing any sharp pain?"

Although her voice was calm, her use of Lisswyn's name rather than title showed her alarm. Lisswyn shook her head. "No, nothing like that. I'm just feeling very weak."

"Lisswyn!" Eomer plowed toward her through the gathering crowd with no pretense of calm. "Mylla, what's wrong?"

"I'm fine, Eomer. Just tired." Wishing her voice didn't sound weak, she reached up to touch his cheek.

"Will you assist us to your tent, my lord? I believe we can set your mind to ease quite quickly, once there." said Mylla.

He gave her a sharp look, but nodded before reaching down to scoop Lisswyn into his arms.

Confused, Lisswyn asked, "But we've only just stopped – how can the tents be up already?" Had she lost more time than she'd thought?

Shifting her to make it easier for her head to rest on his shoulder, he said, "I sent men ahead with the tents and to start the fire. I know we've traveled farther today than on other days."

Hearing the worry in his tone, she once again touched his cheek. "I'm fine, Eomer."

He didn't respond, and she sighed. This wasn't an auspicious start to her pregnancy.

Mylla followed them into the tent, watching while Eomer gently laid her on the pile of furs, then settled next to her. "My lord, while I examine the queen, why don't you go reassure the others that she is fine?"

"Because we don't know that she's fine!" he snapped, turning on the healer.

Aware he was close to truly losing his temper, Lisswyn sat up and reached for his hand. "Eomer, please look at me." Although still feeling very tired, the dizziness was passing and her voice was no longer quite so weak. When he turned to her, a scowl barely masked his panic. Given his current difficulties in seeing past nearly losing Eowyn in Gondor, if anything happened to her – or their child – on this journey, she doubted he'd recover. Holding his gaze even as she entwined their fingers, she said, "Although Mylla still needs to examine me, there's most likely nothing wrong with me that birthing your child in a few months won't cure."

He froze for a long moment, and then glanced down at her belly. When he looked back up, all the blood had drained from his face. "You're with child?" he whispered.

"We believe so. I've not been sick at all, just more tired than normal, and so busy I didn't realize my cycle was off until Mylla questioned me this afternoon. She was going to examine me when we stopped before I said anything to you."

He reached for her and pulled her onto his lap. Pressing his face into her hair, he said nothing for a long moment before looking over at the healer. "Is such weakness normal?"

"Each woman is different, my lord, as is each pregnancy, but it is not uncommon for women to experience dizziness or exhaustion, particularly in the first months."

"Should we return to Edoras?"

"No!" Lisswyn's reply was sharp. "We must see Eowyn wed!"

"We are now only a few days from Gondor, sire. My counsel would be to do what we can to make sure the queen gets more rest and is less wearied by the journey, but not to turn back now. After several weeks of rest in Gondor, we'll return in the same manner, slow and at a pace comfortable to her, and be home in plenty of time for your heir to be born in the Mark."

He scowled, clearly worried, and Lisswyn stroked his cheek. "I'm fine, Eomer. Truly. I'm not in any pain that would suggest a serious problem, and I'm rather grateful that I've not been ill so far. I'm just more tired than usual."

"Very well." He looked at Mylla. "What can we do to make the journey easier for her? Is it safe for her to ride?"

"Certainly, particularly on Dancer, who is very gentle and has an easy gait, though she can also take breaks in the cart if she feels it would help. But the cart can actually be bumpier and more wearying than riding."

He nodded. "What else do we need to do?"

"Shorter days of travel might be in order to give her a greater chance to rest, or stopping more frequently." Mylla glanced at Lisswyn before looking back at him. "Sire, the queen has some healer and midwife training herself. She will probably be quite able to tell us what she needs on any given day."

"Thank you for remembering I'm present," Lisswyn said, injecting humor into her tone.

Eomer's scowl came back. "I just wish to know how to best take care of you until we reach Gondor."

She leaned up and kissed him. "I know. But I'll be fine. I will not risk the child, Eomer. We will figure out the best way to make the journey as quickly as possible while also making it as safe as possible."

He leaned down and rested his chin on the top of her head. "Very well. I'll be happier when we're safely back in the Mark, though."

"I know. But think about how enjoyable it will be to return to Edoras with news of the babe!"

"My lord, if you could go reassure the others, I'll examine the queen and then we'll know if there's anything to be immediately alarmed about. If everything is as it should be, my recommendation would be for her to rest for a while now, eat something light and then sleep as long as she can tonight – even if it means a delayed start in the morning."

"Of course." Leaning down, he brushed Lisswyn's lips with a kiss, then smiled, humor finally lighting his eyes. "You do realize that finding out she's going to be an aunt is probably the only thing for which Eowyn would be willing to slow the trip to Gondor?"

They all laughed, and he stood to leave, pausing to touch Lisswyn's cheek again as he did so.

By the time they stopped for lunch the next day, Lisswyn thought it possible the heir to the throne of the Riddermark would be borne to a mad woman, due to Eomer's fussing and hovering. Standing quietly off to the side of the larger group with him, she said, "Eomer, there is absolutely no need to make camp here. I feel fine, and can easily ride for a while longer!"

"You look tired. There's no reason to risk you or the child when we still have plenty of time to complete our journey."

Lisswyn gave a half laugh at his tone and leaned against him, loving him in spite of her frustration. "If we don't go faster than this, the babe will not only be borne on the trail, he or she will grow to adulthood, wed and be expecting our grandchild before we arrive in Gondor for Eowyn's wedding!"

His arms came around her, and he sighed. "It frightened me when I saw you slumped on the ground next to Dancer yesterday."

She looked up at him, traced his mouth with her finger. "I know, and I'm sorry. I promise I will not let myself become so tired again. If I feel the least bit weary or dizzy, I'll let you know immediately. But I really wish to be off the trail and in Minas Tirith."

"I just thought another short day would really help you get your strength back." Guilt came into his eyes. "I know that worrying about me was contributing to your not getting enough sleep even before you started waking up to help me shake off my dreams."

Ah. Here it was. She'd known they'd get to this eventually. "It's true that I was worried. I love you. But it's easier now that you're letting me help you, Eomer. I got plenty of sleep last night, and feel fine. Truly."

"I didn't dream last night."

She smiled, a bit smugly. "Because I gave you something else to think about, I hope. Something happy?"

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Very happy – although I'll note you also gave me something else to worry about for the next few months!" He leaned down and kissed her. "Very well. We'll continue on the trail for a while longer. But we're still making camp early tonight. If you continue to do well, we'll extend the days as much as we are able. But you must tell me if you get tired."

"I will." She thought of something and reached up to pull his head down to whisper in his ear. "I have another idea, as well, my lord."

Nuzzling her cheek, he said, "Oh?"

"What if I ride with you on Firefoot when I get tired? That's not as bumpy as the cart, but requires less effort from me." The memory of being held close to him, falling asleep against his chest, on the trip from the caves to Edoras still thrilled her even so many months later.

He tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. His voice husky, he said, "I believe Firefoot will approve of that." He kissed her forehead, and then added, a note of humor in his voice, 'But Brynwyn may be quite jealous!"